Housley - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Devils snap Sabres’ winning streak

BUFFALO – Now back to reality.

Fresh off three straight road wins in which they outscored their opponents 11-1, the Sabres, looked like, well, a 30th-place team at home again Tuesday, losing a 3-1 clunker to the New Jersey Devils.

Instead of showcasing what made them successful during their best road trip in years – the Sabres allowed zero even-strength goals – they reverted to their old form, dropping their 16th home game in 22 ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Drew Stafford adapting with age

BUFFALO – Evolve and adapt, Drew Stafford said. That’s why at 32, an age that often signals the end of an NHL career, the former Sabres winger is enjoying his 12th season.

“You have to or else, the way the game goes, guys are out of jobs or teams move on,” Stafford said Tuesday prior to the New Jersey Devils’ 3-1 win inside KeyBank Center. “There’s always a bunch of changing pieces.”

... Read the full article

Ability to roll four lines buoying Sabres’ recent success

BUFFALO – A commitment to a 200-foot game, not his scoring prowess, helped winger Nick Baptiste earn another recall to the Sabres last week.

Baptiste, a third-year pro, has learned offense starts with strong defense. That was evident when Baptiste scored his fourth NHL goal in Thursday’s 4-0 win in Vancouver.

“It was a play where we made them turn the puck over,” Baptiste said this morning after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against ... Read the full article

Hot Sabres want to reward fans with home wins

BUFFALO – Jason Pominville sounded a little nostalgic recalling some special memories from his first stint here. Occasionally, when the Sabres winger watches a memorable goal on Youtube.com, the passion he sees from fans in the clips wows him.

“It’s pretty amazing how they respond,” Pominville said Monday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres reconvened following the NHL All-Star break.

Right now, the Sabres are enjoying their first three-game winning streak this season entering tonight’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian to undergo season-ending hip surgery

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian will undergo season-ending hip surgery next week, the team announced today.

Bogosian’s estimated recovery time is four to six months, so the 10-year veteran should be ready for the start of next season.

“The news regarding Zach’s injury is unfortunate,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. “Zach has been dealing with this injury since the beginning of the season. After consulting with our medical team, we ... Read the full article

Sabres recall early-season regular Matt Tennyson from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres recalled defenseman Matt Tennyson from the Rochester Americans this morning.

The Sabres lost Nathan Beaulieu 3:11 into Monday’s 2-1 overtime win in Calgary after the defenseman fought Flames forward Curtis Lazar as payback for a hit.

Sabres coach Phil Housley told reporters in Calgary following the game Beaulieu would be reevaluated today.... Read the full article

Goalie Robin Lehner frustrated by Sabres’ struggles

BUFFALO – After getting yanked for the third time in five starts, Sabres goalie Robin Lehner skated to the bench, sat down and … left his mask on.

It looked, well, a bit odd.

Lehner kept wearing the protection until the second period ended Saturday afternoon. When he sat down again for the final 20 minutes of an ugly 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, he had finally removed it.... Read the full article

Sabres coach Phil Housley emotional over Jim Johannson’s passing

BUFFALO – In 2012, Team USA general manager Jim Johannson made an out-of-the-box choice, hiring a high school coach to lead the country’s entry at the World Junior Championship.

His name? Phil Housley.

Housley, an NHL legend, had served as an assistant twice for Team USA at the tournament. Still, he had no pro, college or major junior coaching experience. He had only been a head coach for Stillwater High School in Minnesota.... Read the full article

Hapless Sabres embarrassed by Stars

BUFFALO – There is no rock bottom with the 2017-18 Sabres, a team quickly becoming the worst in the franchise’s 47-year history.

Just when you think they’ve hit it again, they implode, give another effort more feeble and embarrassing than the last one.

Take, for example, Saturday’s miserable 7-1 loss to the upstart Dallas Stars, who annihilated the Sabres all afternoon. After falling behind early, they showed little interest in competing, getting outworked in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart seeing net results

BUFFALO – Sam Reinhart is no speedster. The Sabres winger is usually at his best around the crease, tipping pucks and creating offense.

So it’s hardly surprising getting to the net has buoyed Reinhart’s offensive burst. He scored a power-play goal in front of goalie Kari Lehtonen 8:54 into the second period of Saturday afternoon’s ugly 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars inside KeyBank Center.

The former second overall pick also consistently worked his way ... Read the full article